2015 Chevy Silverado

“Big D’s Chop Shop”

Owned by: David Miller

Photos by: Chromey

Some trucks are built to flex. Some are built to cruise. And some are built because the owner simply can’t leave well enough alone.

David Miller’s 2015 Chevy Silverado is definitely the last one.

What started as a bone-stock work truck quickly turned into a full-blown, frame-laying, show-quality build — all done nights and weekends in a detached garage behind David’s house. That garage eventually earned a name of its own: Big D’s Chop Shop.

And if you’re wondering where the motivation came from, David sums it up best:
hard work, dedication… and the fear of heights.

From Stock to Slammed

David picked up the Silverado in 2020 with every intention of keeping it simple. But if you’ve got mini-truck roots, you already know how that story ends.

It didn’t take long before the lowering kit went on — and it didn’t take long after that to realize it still wasn’t enough. Once the decision was made to go all in, the goal became clear: build a truck that could sit hard, look right, and still be driven anywhere.

After dealing with sketchy shops in the past, David decided this build would be different. No shortcuts. No handing it off. Just him, his garage, and a whole lot of late nights.

Built, Not Bought

This Silverado wasn’t pieced together in some high-end fabrication shop. Most of it came together in a backyard garage, with David handling the suspension, body drop, sheet metal work, and initial bodywork himself.

There were setbacks. Plenty of them. And more than a few phone calls to fellow club members asking for advice. But after grinding through it all, the suspension was done, the metal was finished, and the truck finally saw its first coat of primer.

That’s when it was time to hand it over to someone David trusted completely.

Old School Paint Done Right

When it came to paint and graphics, there was only one choice: Rich Galindo Studio.

Rich Galindo is a true OG in the mini-truck world — and not just any painter. He was also the guy who sprayed David’s very first mini truck over 20 years ago. Some things just come full circle.

The Silverado wears a Chevy Summit White base with old-school lace and pattern graphics, finished with a modern touch that keeps it clean without losing that classic mini-truck soul. Final prep and paint were handled by Rich Galindo and Jesus Heredia, while David knocked out the early bodywork himself.

Laying Frame the Right Way

As a longtime member of Acrophobia, there was never any debate about ride height. This truck had to be low — really low.

The setup includes:

• Front control arms and modified rear link bars from Ekstensive Metal Works

• A 4-inch body drop

• Stock floor with partial channeling

• Tons of custom fabrication handled in-house by David

It’s the kind of setup that looks wild parked but still holds up when it’s time to hit the road.

Rolling Stock That Hits Hard

The stance is finished off with:

• Niche Vosso wheels

• 24×9.5 front and rear

• 295/35/24 tires all the way around

Big wheels, clean fitment, no gimmicks — just the right balance of modern style and classic mini-truck attitude.

If you start looking close, the bodywork is where this truck really shines:

• Modified front bumper with a custom sheet metal center

• Rear roll pan with a recessed center to match

• Full sheet metal bed with bead-rolled floor

• Shaved bed rails

• Molded splash guards

• Custom front tubs and original C10 rear tubs

And yes — David did all of it himself.

Interior With Meaning

Inside, the Silverado keeps things clean and comfortable:

• Smoothed and painted dash inserts

• Custom center console

• Phoenix Automotive Tesla-style touchscreen

• Memphis Audio amp with a JL Audio sub tucked into the console

But the standout piece isn’t flashy at all.

The wood bed floor was built with help from David’s dad, Gary Miller, who taught him the basics of fabrication when he was young. The wood was stained and finished by David and his girlfriend Jess — making it one of the most personal parts of the entire build.

Built to Be Driven

Even with the show-level finish, this Silverado still runs a stock drivetrain and gets around 25 MPG cruising California highways. That was always part of the plan — build it low, build it clean, but build it to drive.

David has been part of Acrophobia since 2004 and now serves as President of the Northern California chapter. For him, this truck isn’t just a personal project — it represents the people who helped him get here.

Family, club members, friends, and especially Jess, who was always there for the late nights and long weekends.

Final Take

David Miller’s 2015 Chevy Silverado proves you don’t need a massive shop or unlimited budget to build something special. What you do need is patience, support, and the willingness to put in the work — even when it gets frustrating.

From a backyard garage to highways up and down the West Coast, this truck tells a story that plenty of builders can relate to.